A reading from a letter of Mary MacKillop to Monsignor Kirby

Dear friends


This week (Wednesday 8 August) we celebrated the Solemnity of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop. St. Mary of the Cross is the patron saint of Australia, the Archdiocese of Brisbane and this Parish. In other words, St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop is a big deal!

Below is a copy of a letter Mary penned to Monsignor Kirby. This letter gives a beautiful insight into her spirituality and it also provides us a rare opportunity to hear her own voice. Monsignor Kirby was a priest in Rome who helped her navigate the Vatican bureaucracy and gain recognition for her Sisters.

A reading from a letter of Mary MacKillop to Monsignor Kirby.
Oh, Father, I cannot tell you what a beautiful thing the will of God seems to me. For some years past, my Communions, my prayers, my intentions have all been for God's will to be done. I can never pray for a particular intention, a particular person, or anything particular about our own Institute, but in God's loved will, that is - whilst I desire with all my heart to pray for these, I cannot help at the same time desiring that He only use my prayers for the intention that His own will most desires at this time. Thus, I feel a joy when things go well, for I see His will in this, and an equal joy when they seem to go wrong or against our natural desire, for there again I see His will, and am satisfied that He has accepted my prayers and those of many more for some other object at the time nearer to His adorable will.

To me, the will of God is a dear book which I am never tired of reading, which has always some new charm for me. Nothing is too little to be noticed there, but yet my littleness and nothingness has often dared to oppose it, and I am painfully conscious that in many ways I still in my tepidity offend against it without perceiving what I am doing. But such dear lessons as you gave me the other evening then come to my aid and encourage me, for the love of my sweet Jesus is too strong, too beautiful, and His merits too great, for me not to cling to Him.

(Letter, Ascension 1874 Resource Book 2, pp 49-51)

God bless
Fr Thomas

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